Alcohol wipe restraint

Abstract

Alcohol wipe package restraints and related systems and methods for sterilizing alcohol wipe packages are disclosed herein. A sterilized alcohol wipe package system may include an alcohol wipe package restraint and one or more alcohol wipe packages. The alcohol wipe package restraint includes a base defining an opening extending therethrough and an arm secured to the base and extending over the opening. The one or more alcohol wipe packages are removably secured to the alcohol wipe package restraint such that the arm restrains a portion of the one or more alcohol wipe packages when the one or more alcohol wipe packages are sterilized under a negative pressure.

1 . A sterilized alcohol wipe package system, comprising:
 an alcohol wipe package restraint that is generally rigid and comprises a first end region, a second end region opposite to the first end region, and two panels opposite one another and extending at least partially between the first end region and the second end region, the two panels at least partially defining an opening at the first end region of the alcohol wipe package restraint and an interior region of the alcohol wipe package restraint extending from the opening at the first end region towards the second end region;   one or more alcohol wipe packages including one or more alcohol wipes sealed therein, the one or more alcohol wipe packages being removably positioned at least partially within the interior region of the alcohol wipe package restraint such that at least 50% of each alcohol wipe package of the one or more alcohol wipe packages is positioned within the interior region of the one or more alcohol wipe packages.   
     
     
         2 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more alcohol wipe packages comprise a polyester film material. 
     
     
         3 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint is integrally formed. 
     
     
         4 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior region is closed at the second end region of the alcohol wipe package restraint. 
     
     
         5 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the opening has a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm and a width of about 4 mm to about 7 mm. 
     
     
         6 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint has a length of about 3 mm to about 6 mm and a width of about 5 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         7 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint includes two sidewalls opposing one another, extending between the two panels, and extending at least partially between the first end region and the second end region. 
     
     
         8 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 7 , further comprising a tab extending outward away from the opening at the first end region of each sidewall of the two sidewalls. 
     
     
         9 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint includes an end wall at the second end region that closes the interior region and the second end region. 
     
     
         10 . The sterilized alcohol wipe package system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the two panels includes a recess that extends from the first end region at least partially towards the second end region. 
     
     
         11 . A method of sterilizing one or more alcohol wipe packages, the method comprising:
 providing an alcohol wipe package restraint;   securing one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint, the one or more alcohol wipe packages including one or more alcohol wipes sealed therein;   positioning the one or more alcohol wipe packages secured to the alcohol wipe package restraint in a sterilizing apparatus; and   sterilizing the one or more alcohol wipe packages while secured to the alcohol wipe package restraint in the sterilizing apparatus at a predetermined negative pressure and a predetermined temperature, the alcohol wipe package restraint at least partially inhibiting the one or more alcohol wipe packages from expanding during sterilization.   
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 providing an alcohol wipe package restraint comprises:
 providing an alcohol wipe package restraint comprising a base defining an opening and an arm extending across the opening; 
   securing one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint comprises:
 securing one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint with the one or more alcohol wipe packages restrained under the arm and extending at least partially across the opening; and 
   sterilizing the one or more alcohol wipe packages while secured to the alcohol wipe package restraint in the sterilizing apparatus comprises:
 sterilizing the one or more alcohol wipe packages while secured to the alcohol wipe package restraint in the sterilizing apparatus at a predetermined negative pressure and a predetermined temperature with the arm of the alcohol wipe package restraint at least partially inhibiting the one or more alcohol wipe packages from expanding during sterilization. 
   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 providing an alcohol wipe package restraint comprises providing a sealable pouch; and   securing one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint includes securing the one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint by positioning the one or more alcohol wipe packages in the pouch and sealing the pouch.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein:
 providing an alcohol wipe package restraint includes providing an alcohol wipe package restraint that is generally rigid and comprises a first end region, a second end region opposite to the first end region, and two panels opposite one another and extending at least partially between the first end region and the second end region, the two panels at least partially defining an opening at the first end region of the alcohol wipe package restraint and an interior region of the alcohol wipe package restraint extending from the opening at the first end region towards the second end region; and   securing one or more alcohol wipe packages to the alcohol wipe package restraint includes positioning the one or more alcohol wipe packages within the interior region of the alcohol wipe package restraint such that at least 50% of each alcohol wipe package of the one or more alcohol wipe packages is positioned within the interior region of the alcohol wipe package restraint.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the interior region is closed at the second end region of the alcohol wipe package restraint. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the opening has a height of about 3 mm to about 10 mm and a width of about 4 mm to about 7 mm. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint has a length of about 3 mm to about 6 mm and a width of about 5 mm to about 10 mm. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint includes two sidewalls opposing one another, extending between the two panels, and extending at least partially between the first end region and the second end region. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more alcohol wipe packages comprise a polyester film material and. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the alcohol wipe package restraint is integrally formed.